Coin-controlled selector circuit for phonographs



Aug. 12, 1952 A. E. REIMAN 2,606,640

COIN CONTROLLED SELECTOR CIRCUIT FOR PHONOGRAPHS Filed Oct. 27, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet l I N VE IV T 02 afn'd 6'. Pei rzau.

Aug. 12, 1952 A. E. REIMAN 2,606,640

COIN CONTROLLED SELECTOR CIRCUIT FOR PHONOGRAPHS Filed Oct. 27, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ke l8 5' r Y J H88 /02 I59 I03 (Olll. f 191 T a v]: "H; t? "A28 I96 f 193 l99- 235" 5/? INVEMTOR dlfi'ed 6.281111% 3 n F I I 4 0m$$7 A. E. REIMAN Aug. 12, 1952 COIN CONTROLLED SELECTOR CIRCUIT FOR PHONOGRAPHS Filed Oct. 27. 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 1V VEN TOR fred 5. Reimcvz di'gs 12, 1952 A. E. REIMAN 2,606,640

COIN CONTROLLED SELECTOR CIRCUIT FOR PHONOGRAPHS Filed Oct. 27. 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I I 219) I97 23/ vlir) O gggJ INVENTOZ alfrvd 6.29m

Patented Aug. 12, 1 952 COIN-CONTROLLED SELECTOR CIRCUIT FOR PHONOGRAPHS Alfred E. Reiman, Chicago, 111., assig'nor to Rock-Ola Manufacturing Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application October 27, 1947, Serial No. 782,389

This invention relates in general to selectively operable coin-controlled machinesand more particularly to automatic, multi-record, coin-controlled phonographs.

- In some prior art devices of this type in which a plurality of selector control members are selectively operable to determine the playing of different records, or tocontrol successive cycles of operation, and the number or value of coins deposited determines the number of cyclic operations or playing cycles, after a coin or coins have been deposited to renderthe mechanism operable for a plurality of cycles and a corresponding number of selector control members have been .oper-' ated, there is nothing in the machine to prevent someone else, at any time between the starting of the first and of the last cycle selected, from appropriating the remaining playing cycles merely by actuating certain others of the selector control members. i

A principal object of this invention is the provision of novel control mechanism for such pho nographs, or other similar coin-controlled'and cyclically operable devices, which prevents loss of the selections made by the person who has deposited the coins, by rendering ineffectiveany actuation of the selector control members-after the deposit of a coin or coins and the making of a corresponding number of selections by operation of such selector control members; 5 1 v 1 Another object of the invention is to provide in such devices novel operation control mechanism which includes normally. inoperative selector control members rendered operative 'by'the deposit of a genuine coin or coins of the proper value, and thereafter selectively operablev topre determine the records to be played, but only for the number of cycles of the machine corresponding to the value of the coin ,orcoins deposited,,the deposit of each predetermined incremental coin value, such as five cents, rendering theselector control members operative to effect one cycle of operation of the machine. r

A further object of the invention isthe provision of-such operation controlmechanismcomprising normally in operative selector control members, accumulator mechanism automatically operable positively, in response to the deposit of proper coins, to accumulate the total of the predetermined incremental values represented by the coin or coins deposited and to render the selector control members operative each to select a record for playing, and mechanism operable immediately in response to subsequent operation of any selector control member to actuate the accumulator mechanism negatively to subtract the pre- 4 claims. (01. 194

determined incremental value from "the total therein. accumulated, the accumulator mechanism being operable upon its return to normal condition or zero position, by successive negative incremental operations equal tothe previously efiected total positive coin-responsive actuation thereof, to render all of the selector control members inoperative.

Since the instant control mechanism includes means for effecting a debiting or negative actuation of the accumulator as each selection is made by operation of aselector control member, and means for effecting a positive actuation of the accumulator in response to the deposit of any acceptable coin or coins, another object of this invention is to prevent simultaneous operation of thesetwo means .for eifecting opposite actuations of the accumulator to avoid jamming or breakage of the parts thereof.

More specifically, such prevention of simul-, taneous actuations of the accumulator in opposite directions is accomplished by a normally closed lock-out switch interposed in the accumulator debiting mechanism control circuit, which is automatically opened to break such circuit during positive actuation of the accumulator in response to the deposit of an acceptable coin.

A further object of the invention is the provision in such an operation control mechanism of an interlocking switch arrangement or assembly normally operable ,to maintain the control circuit of the accumulator debiting mechanism open to prevent actuation of any selector control memberfrom being effective, automaticallyoperable upon deposit of any proper coin or coins to condition such circuit for closing by subsequent actuation oil-any selector control member, and automatically operable back to normal condition in response to operation or" a selector control member.. If morethan oneincrement or unit of value has been entered positively in the accumulator mechanism by the deposit of more than one coin or of a proper coin having a multiple unit value,-this interlocking switch arrangement will continue to be operated automatically after, each actuation of a selector control-member to again condition the circuit for closing by subsequent actuation of any selector control member, until the accumulator mechanism has been returned to zero by repeated operations of the debiting mechanism in response to a number of actuations of selector control members equal to the total number of units or incremental values positively I accumulated responsive to coin deposits, when the '55 "interlocking switch arrangement will be maintained in normal condition to render ineffective all selector control members.

Thus another object of the invention is to maintain the selector mechanism inoperative in an automatic phonograph until a proper coin has been deposited, and then automatically to render the selector mechanism effective only in response to the first selections, made, one at a ,time or seriatim, in number equal to the total units of value of the coin or coins deposited.

A further important object of the invention is the provision in such an automatic phonograph having a plurality of manually operable selector members, which are numbered serially in accordance with the number of records contained in the phonograph, of interlocking mechanism associated with such selector members and automatically operable in response to and during actuation of any such selector member to render ineffective all other selector members of higher serial number which are operated simultaneously therewith.

In other words, such interlocking means are provided in association with the normally inefiective selector members so that, after such selector members have been rendered effective by the deposit of a proper coin or coins in the coin-receiving means, selection of only one record will be eifected when more than one of the selector members are depressed at the same time. The operator thus is prevented from initiating more playing cycles of the phonograph than the number thereof to which heis entitled by virtue of the prior deposit of a proper coin or coins.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from th following description, which, when takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of an automatic phonograph embodying, the features of the instant invention; v

Fig. 2 is a detail front elevation of the accumulator mechanism showing, the mounting of the look-out switch;

Fig.3 is a schematic Wiring diagram of the main operating circuit of th machine;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the operating mechanism of the phonograph of Fig. 1 with the casing shown in section; V v

Fig. 5is an enlarged detail side elevation of the accumulator mechanism of Fig. 2, showing part of the coin-receiving mechanism, the ac cumulator mechanism with a side plate thereof removed, and the interlocking switch arrangement forming a part of the operation control mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a detail plan view'of a modified'interlocking switch arrangement identical in function to that shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is an end elevation of the interlocking switch arrangement of Fig. 6;"

I Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the interlockingswitch arrangement of Fig. 6;

, Fig. 91s a schematic wiring diagram of a portion of the operation control mechanism circuit showing the electrical interconnection-of the accumulator, the debitiug mechanism therefor, the make selection switch, the interlockingswitch arrangement and the'debiting mechanism cutout switch; and a I Fig. 10 is a schematic wiring diagram of the remainder of the operationcontrol mechanism ircuit showing" the selector solenoids and the selcc tor member interlocking mechanism.

GENERAL lustrated as embodying the features'of the instant invention is generally ofthe type disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,159,834, issued May 23, 1929, to P. H. Smyth, Jr., and the al- .phabetical reference characters used herein are 'the'same as those employed in said patent and designat either identical or similar mechanism.

.Since this mechanism is described in detail in said patent, a brief and general explanation thereof will be sufficient herein for a complete understanding of the present invention.

The automatic phonograph comprises an outer casing or cabinet A (Figs. 1 and 4) for accommodating a chassis or a frame B for supporting the Operating mechanism, amplifier means C, and speaker means D. The chassis 13 serves as a mounting means for record carrying and reproducing devices which, generally considered, coopcrate to translate the irregularities or impulses in the sound track of a record into mechanical vibrations and to convert'such mechanical vibrations into electrical impulses. These electrical impulses are then supplied to the amplifier means C and, after amplification, they are converted into sound by the speaker means D. As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the chassis B includes a horizontal- 13? disposed panel E, commonly referred to as a motor board, having an aperture F therein, and carries a turntable G, record reproducer means or tone arm H, a record carrier supporting or mounting assembly I, and a plurality of pivoted, ring-shaped record carriers or trays J arranged one above theother in column or stacked relationship and selectively swingable to and from cooperative relationship with the turntable G. Members K and L provide individual supports for each record carrier J at the end thereof opposite the mounting assembly I, when the record carrier is in its position of cooperation with the turntable G, and when it is in stack, respectively. Supported from and disposed below the'motor board'E, are a master cam M, a main motor N for driving the same, and a second motor 0 (Fig. 3) for rotating the turntable G.

'Operation of the phonograph is controlled jointly by coin operated means to be described hereinafter) and record select-or control means or predetermining means V, the latter determining the particular position in which a selector finger 1'! (Fig. 4) will be stopped in its vertical movement by the master cam M in each cycle'of operation of the machine, which will cause a record carrier swinging yoke to move that record carrier J disposed in stack in a position corresponding to the one at which the selector finger 71 has been stopped to swing the same and the record carried thereby in'to vertical alignment with the turntable G.

The predetermining or selector control means V herein employed is similar to those disclosed in UnitedStates Letters Patent-No. 2,347,995, issued May 2, 1944, to L. E. Dettle, and the co pending applications of D. C. Rockola, Serial No. 553,161, filed September 8, 1944, now Patent No. 2,569,115, issued September 25, 19:51 and Serial No. 713,045, filed November 29, 1946, and, asfbest illustrated in the latter application, includesfa plurality of electro-magnctic selector coils 237 (Fig. l0 corresponding respectively to the sev-.

eral records inthe trays J, anda switchactuating lever 246 (Fig; 3), which are designated in said application Serial No. 713,045 by these same reference numerals.

In the present machine, each of these selector coils 23'! is adapted to beenergized,respectively, by actuation of one of a plurality of'manually operable selector members or push buttons I8l (Figs. 1, 4 and 10) in a manner to be described in detail hereinafter. 'Upon energization of'any selector coil 231, the switch actuating lever 246 is swung counterclockwise from its normally. inoperative position of Fig. 3 to close a master switch I82 and to retain said switch in closed position. Such actuating lever 246 is operated inxresponse'to energization of any one of the selector coils 231 in the same manner as the corresponding switch actuating member 99 is operated .in response to energization of any one. of the corresponding selector coils 85- in said Dettle Patent No. 2,347,995. As shown in Fig. 3, a positive lead I83 comprising one side of any suitable source of electrical energy is connected by a lead I84 to one side of the main driving motor N, the other side of which is connected by a lead I85 to one side of asingle pole, double throw holding switch I86. The arm of the switch I86 is connected by a line I81 to the arm of the master switch I82, and the other side of the switch I82 is connected to the return or negative lead I88. Consequently, it will be seen that closing of the master switch I82 by the lever 246, resulting from the energization of one of the selector coils 231-, will close a circuit through the main driving motor N which will initiate operation of the master cam M. The shaft of the master cam M has a notched disc I89 rigidly secured thereto within the notch of which one end of this actuating lever 246 normally rests, as shown in Fig; 3. Asoperation of the master cam M is thus initiated, the notched disc I89 is rotated in a clock wise direction (viewing Fig. 3) so that the periphery thereof maintains the switch actuating lever 246 in active position to retain the master switch I82 closed for the remainder of the play. ing cyclethus initiated, regardless of the return to normal position, during such playing cycle;; of the predetermining or selector means-V in the.- manner described in saidpatent and applications hereinbefore referred to. i v

Such rotation ofthe master cam M by the a motor N causes lowering of the selector finger TI :toa position opposite the record tray J containing the record corresponding to the selector member or push button I8I which was depressed to-initiate the playing cycle, as determinedby the corresponding electro-magnetic selector coil 231, thereby energized. Continued rotation of master cam M causes counterclockwise horizontal swinging of selector finger 11 from its position of Fig. 4 to release the selected record tray J, and also swings the yoke 85 in a clockwise 'di rection (as seen in Fig. 4) to carry such record tray J from normal stack position into vertical alignment with turntableG. Continued rotation'of master cam M raises turntable G from its normally lowermost position through the displaced record tray J to carry the record into playing'p'osition, i. e., to present such record'forengagement bythe tone arm H.

At this point of operation of the master cam M, the notched disc I89 (Fig. 3) carried thereby has. been rotated to present the notch therein to the inner end of the arm of the holding switch I86, and the latter is spring moved from its position of Fig. 3' to open the circuit previously described through the main driving motor N to stop the latter and the master cam, and at the same time to close a circuit through the turntable motor 0. This latter circuit includes a lead I9I connecting one side of turntable motor 0 to the positive lead I83 and a lead I92 connecting the other side of the motor to the lower side of the holding switch I86, the circuit being completed through the lead I81 and the master switch I82 to the negative lead I88. A second notched disc I93 (corresponding to the notched disc 49 in Patent No. 2,159,834) is secured to the vertical shaft of the tone arm H, andv as the latter reaches the end of the record groove to complete playing of the selected record, the notch in this disc' I93 permits spring closing of a switch I94 (Fig. 3) 'toreenergize the main driving motor N by completing a circuit therethrough including the leads I84 and I85, a lead I95 connected between the latter and one side of switch I94, a lead I96 connected from the other side of switch I94 to lead I81, and the master switch I 82 and negative lead I88. The resulting rotation of master cam M removes the notch in the disc I89 from engagement with the arm of holding switch I86 to return the latter to its position of Fig. 3, thus de-energizing turntable motor 0 and completing the previously described circuit through main motor N, and the master cam M causes lowering of the'turntable G to return the played record to its tray J. As the turntable is lowered from playing position, the master cam functions to return the tone arm H to normal or starting position, which returns thenotched disc I93 to its position of Fig. 3 to open the switch I84, and after the played record is deposited on its carrier J, the master cam also functions to swing-this record carrier back to its normal stack position. 1 I If only one record has been selected for playing, the completion of the playing cycle, inreturning the notched disc I89 to its normal position of Fig. 3, permits spring return-of the switch actuating lever 246 to its normal position therein illustrated to open the master switch I82, since ACCUMULATOR MECHANISM (Reference numerals 20-179) 7 The novel operation control means herein disclosed and to be described includes accumulator mechanism substantially identical to that illustrated and described in detail in the co-pending, application. of J. J. Toolan, Serial No- 431,623,

filed February 20, 1942, and issued February 10, Consequently, a-

1948, as Patent No. 2,435,933. brief rsum ofthe operation of this accumulator mechanism hereinwill be sufficient for a complete understanding of its relationship and cooperation with the novel operation control mechanism hereinafter described, and of which: it,

forms a part, and the same reference-numerals asemployed in said Toolan application will be used herein with reference to this accumulator mechanism. l

Referring more particularly to Figs- 2 and 5, reference numeral 2| indicates in general a coinreceiving and credit register mechanism which is mounted on the casing A at the right side of the phonograph below the motor board E and adjacent the forward end of the casing by means of a suitable backing or supporting plate member 22, andincludes coin handling mechanism 23 for receiving coins of difierent denominations, such as nickels, dimes and quarters, deposited in a coin-receiving chute 20 (Figs. 1 and 4) located at the front of the machine with its upper end adjacentthe row of selector members I8I. This coin-receiving and credit register mechanism 2| also includes an auxiliary coin-receiving or guiding mechanism 24 (Fig. 5) disposed below the coin handling mechanism 23' and into which the latter guides genuine coins of the denominations above listed to difierent points of delivery, spurious or counterfeit coins, slugs and the like, being rejected by the coin handling mechanism 23. 'The coin-receiving and credit register mechanism ZI also includes a control and credit register or accumulator indicated generally by reference numeral 25, and a supporting structure or frame 26 secured to or formedas an integral part of the supporting plate 22.

As shown in Fig. 5, the coin guiding mechanism 24 comprises a vertically disposed quarter coin slot I3, a nickel coin slot 15 disposed laterally of the latter (to the rear of slot I3 viewing Fig. 5), and a dime coin slot I6, into the upper ends of which genuine coins of these different denominations which are deposited in coin chute 20 will be delivered by the coin handling mechanism 23. As any coin falls by gravity through the guiding mechanism 24, it depresses the free, inwardly turned end of an associated accumulator control lever, the quarter lever being designated by reference numeral I9, the dime lever by 82 and the nickel lever by 84. Each ofthese three accumulator control levers is pivotally mounted on a horizontal shaft 06 supported adjacent its ends by side plates or frame members 95 and 96 of the accumulator 25.

Also supported b these frame plates 95 and 96 is a horizontal shaft 99 (Figs. 2 and 5) upon which are rotatably mounted three laterally spaced register elements or toothed wheels IIlI, I02 and I03 comprising the main portion of the accumulator 25. An accumulator actuating spring I06 is coiled around the outer end of the shaft 99 andsecured at its opposite ends, respectively, tothe frame plate, 96 and the units order register wheel IOI. A horizontal rod'or pin I! is secured at its outer end to the register wheel IOI and extends laterally through apertures I08 and I09 (Fig. provided, respectively, in the register wheels I02 and I03. Springs H2 interconnect the rod II" with each of the register wheels I02 and I03.

Means are provided for normally restrainingtheunits register wheel IOI against positive actuation, or counter-clockwise rotation as viewed in Fig. 5, by the spring I06,- which comprises a latch pawl lever I I4 rotatably mounted on a horizontal shaft H6. A substantially U-shaped latch releasing lever H9 is rotatably mounted at its upper ends on shaft H6, and acoil spring I24 interconnects this lever I I9 and the rear end of latch pawl lever H4 to normally maintain the forward end of the latter in engagement with the toothed periphery of the units register wheel IN. A coil spring I28 also connected tothe latch releasing lever H9 functions" to assist spring I24 in yieldingly maintaining latch pawl lever H4 in active engagement with the units register wheel IOI, thus preventing positive rotation of the latter by spring I06.

Also rotatably mounted upon the horizontal shaft H6 are three stop pawl levers I3I, having shelf portions I33 formed at their upper ends for cooperation, respectively, with the three register wheels IOI, I02 and I03. A coil spring I34 is connected to each of the .stop pawl levers I3I to urge the latter in a clockwise direction, as seen' in Fig. 5. Each coin actuated accumulator. control lever I9, 82 and 84 is provided at its forward end with an upwardly inclined shelf por-- tion I39 cooperating with the lower ends of the stop pawl levers I3I and the lower transverse portion of the latch releasing lever H9. .A coil spring MI is attached to each of the accumulator control levers I9, 82 and 84 to maintain the latter in the normal position of Fig. 5 and to retain the associated stop pawl levers I 3I in such position against actuation by their springs I34.

Whenever a nickel is deposited in the coinreceiving chute 20, passes successfully through the coin handling mechanism 23 and into the nickel coin slot I5, it will rotate the accumulator control lever 84 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 5. The shelf I39 on the forward end of lever 84 will thus swing the latch releasing lever H9 clockwise about shaft H6 to remove latch pawl lever H4 from engagement with the units register wheel IOI to permit counterclockwise rotation of the latter by the spring I06. At the same time, as the register wheel I M starts to rotate, the spring I34 of the associated stop pawl lever I3I will swing the latter clockwise about shaft II 6 to present its shelf I33 to the toothed periphery of the units wheel IOI. As soon as the'coin falling through the guiding mechanism 24 releases the control lever 84, the latter is returned to its normal position of Fig. 5 by its spring I4I. During such return movement of the lever 84, springs I24 and I 28- return latch pawl lever H4 into engagement with register wheel WI, and the associated stop pawl lever I3I is swung against the action of its spring I34 to remove its shelf I33 from engagement with the register wheel. The pawls H4 and I3I thus function as an escapement mechanism to permit positive actuation of the accumulator, comprising a single step or increment of rotation in a counterclockwise direction of the units wheel IOI, representing one unit of'value. Since the register wheels I02 and I03 are free to rotate at this time, the springs I I2 will cause them to accompany the units register wheel I0'I the rod I 01 and apertures I08 and I09 limiting such movement of wheels I02 and I03 by-springs .I I2.

Deposits of a dime or quarter will similarly actuate the accumulator control levers 82 or "I9 which, respectively, will similarly swing latch releasing lever H9 to release latch pawl lever H4 from engagement with the units wheel IOI,

and permit the associated stop pawl lever I3I to be engaged with either register wheel I 02 or I03. If a dime has been deposited, the wheel I02 is thus engaged by its stop pawl lever I3I to limit the resulting rotation of units Wheel I M by spring I06 to two steps or increments of. rotation by virtue of aperture I08 restraining further movement of rod I01. Following release of lever 82' by the passage of the dime through the guiding mechanism 24, the resulting re-engagement of latch pawl lever II with the units wheel IIII and disengagement .of .the. associated stop pawl leverv I3I from register wheel 'I02 will-permitthe spring .I I2 connected to register :wheel I02 to move the latter positively a comparable distance. Actuationof accumulator control lever I9 by the deposit of a quarter similarly will permit rotation of the units register wheel IOI through five increments orsteps of .movement, and follow up movement of register wheel I03 by its spring 'I I2 upon release and return of lever I9, in similar manner; It thus will be seen that the deposit of proper coins of different denominational values in coin chute 20 will result automatically in-the positive accumulation of a total in the accumulator 25 equal to the total numberotunits of value of the coins deposited. 4

. In order to translate such positive actuation of the accumulator 25 into a factor for controlling the phonograph actuating mechanism previously described, the units register wheel IOI is provided with ahorizontally disposed insulated pin I48 which normally maintains i sprin'gco'ntact I49 out of engagement with a" stationary contact I5I of a master coin switch I52 which is electrically connected by leads I66 and I68 in the control circuit of themachine in a manner to be described more in detaithereinafter'. As seen in Fig. 5, the pin I40 normallymaintains master coin switch I52 open, and immediately upon the positive accumulation of any total in the accumulator 25, which comprises a counterclockwise rotation of the units register wheelIBI, the pin I48 ismoved out of engagement with spring contact ['49 to permit closing of the master coin switch I52.- 1 l Means are also provided for actuating the accumulator 25 negatively, which'comprises a debiting solenoid I53 having leads I18 and I19 electrically connected in the control circuit of the machine in a manner to be described in detail hereinafter. A lever I55 comprising the armature of solenoid I53 is normally held in inactive position away from the latter by a spring I56, as shown in Fig. 5, and is provided at its lower end with a pawl I50 in lateral alignment with the units register wheel I M. Energization of solenoid I53 will swing the lever I55 against the action of its spring I56 in a com-- terclockwise direction (viewing Fig. 5) to cause the pawl I59 to move the units register wheel IOI one step in a clockwise direction. The rod I0! will similarly move the register wheels I02 and I03, so that for each actuation or energization of. the debiting solenoid I53 the accumulater 25 will have one unit of value subtracted fromthe totaltherein accumulated. As soon as the accumulator has thus been returnedstep by step to its normal position of Fig. 5, the pin I48 will open the master coin switch I52. I

OPERATION CONTROL MECHANISM characters a-a') ,-The operation control mechanism herein illustrated, and now to bev described, automatically.

controls the previously described operating mechanism in such .manner as to accomplish I the accumulator 25, the master coin switch I52 and the accumulator debiting coil I53, but these are combined and function in an entirely different manner than that disclosed in the Toolan application referred to, in order. to obtain the desired (Reference numerals 197-23 and reference results. In: the. ipresent invention thev manually operable selector members or pushlbuttons I8I normally are inefiective, and the operation 'control mechanism renders them effective to initiate only a number of playing cycles equivalentto the total value of coins first depositedin the receiving chute 20, and prevents stealing of the selections thus made by s'ubsequentactuation of the selector membersI8I. I

, In addition to the members so far described, theoperation control mechanism includes an interlocking switch arrangement or assembly I91 (Fig.9), a make selection switch I98, alock-out switch I09, selector member or push button interlocking means 20I (Fig. 10), and a credit light 202 (Figs. 4 and I0). I

.A hot or positive lead 203 and a. common or negativelead 204 are shown in Fig. 10 as comprising a suitable source of electrical energy for the operation control mechanism circuit. These leads, together with leads 205whi-ch are individually connected to one side of the selector coils 231 (the. other sides of which are illustrated as being grounded, which' is the same as being connected to the common lead 204) form a cable indicated diagrammaticallyatZOG. At the other end or the cable 206, the hot lead 203 connected to contact a of an electrical socket 20'! adapted to receive a companion plug 208 shown in Fig. 9. The hot lead 203 is also connected in Fig. 10 to the arm of a single pole double throw selector switch-209 operably associated with the number one selector member or push button I8'I, a similar switch 209 being provided for each selector member; The upper contact of this number one selector switch 209 is connected to the arm of theswitch 209" associated with the number two selector member I8 I and similar connections'are provided for all of the switches 200 so that all-of theseswitches, when in their normal position of Fig. 10, are connected in series and to a lead 2 which is connected to a contact b of the socket 201. The lower contacts of each of these selector switches 209 are connected in series by a lead'2 I2 to a'contact c of socket 201.

A second group of selector switches 2I3 disposed, respectively, below selector switches 209 and operatively associated with the push buttons I8 I, have their arms normally connected in series by means of their upper contacts and by a lead 2I4 to a contact'fd of-the socket 201. The other or lower contacts of these lower selector switches 2I3 are connected, respectivelyfto the leads 205 extending as part of cable 206 to the associated selector coils 231. Since operationor depression of any selector member or "push button IBI will move thearm of the associated lower-select switch 2 I3 out of engagement with its upper contact, the circuitfrom lead 2 I4 thus will be broken to, all selector switches-2 I3 associated with higher seriallynumbered push buttons. I8I. Consequently, these lowerjselector switches 2I3 comprise the selector member interlocking means 20I previously enumerated. .Oneisideof the credit light 2021 is connected .to lead 2I I, and the other.

side is connected by a lead 2I5 to contact e 1 the socket 201.

Contact fxof-socket20l isconnected to the common, or negative lead 204. It will be appreciated that the wiring diagrams shown in Figs. 9 and 10 together comprise a "schematic illustration of the operation control mechanism circuit, 'the'plug terconnect the instrumentalities included in these two figures, in a manner to be described more in detail hereinafter.

Referring now to Figs. v and 9, the interlocking switch arrangement or assembly I91 is shown as comprising a mounting strip 2I6 connected in any suitable manner to and supported by the frame structure 26 of the coin-receiving and credit register mechanism 2|. The means em-. ployed for attaching the mounting strip 2 I 6 may also be used to secure thereto. a pair of coil mounting brackets 2 I I for supporting, respectively, an electro-magnetic reset coil 2 I8 and a similar starting coil 2 I 9. Mounted upon the central portion of the strip 2I6 in any suitable manner is a snap or pin type switch 22I of well known con-. struction having four contacts g, h, z and i (Fig. 9). The contact bridging element of this switch 22I normally interconnects its contacts g and h, and upon movement of its pin to the left (viewing Fig. 9), it is snapped over tointerconnect the contacts 2' and 7'. Such movement from the normal position of the parts illustrated in Fig. 9 is accomplished by the plunger of the starting coil 2I9 upon energization, of this coil. Conversely, subsequent energization of resetting coil 2I8 will return its plunger to the positionillustrated in Fig. 9 to reset switch 22I to its'normal position therein shown.

As illustrated in Fig. 9, contact g of interlocking switch 22 I is connected by a lead 222 to con-, tact b of plug 298. Contact It of switch 22I is connected by a, lead 223 to one side of the starting coil 2 I9 the other side of the latter in turn being connected to lead I59. Contact 2 of switch 22' i connec e by a lead 224 to the m e n: tact of lock-outswitch I99, the stationary con tact .of the latter being connected by lead I19 to one side of the debiting coil I 53, and the other side ofthe latter being connected by lead II8 to contact 0 of; plug 298. Contact 7' of switch 2 2I is connected by a lead 225 to contact 1 of plug 298. The stationary contact of make selection switch I98 is connected by a lead 226 to contact at of plug 298, and the movable contact of switch I98 is connected by a lead 221 to one side of the reset coil M8, the other side ofthe latter being connected by a lead 228 to contact a of the plug 298.

Referring now to Figs. 6, '7; and8, a modified form of interlocking arrangement or assembly I91 is therein illustratedwhich is similar in tunetion to the interlocking assembly I91 and comprises a mounting S IiD ZIB', and the same ,coil mounting brackets 2H, reset coil 2I8 and starting coil 2;I9 as are used in interlocking assembly I 91. This interlocking arrangement I91, how.- ever, employs a snap or pin-type switch 229 (mounted on the strip 2I6) which has three contacts 231, 232 and 233 instead of the four con:

tacts of switch 22I. The bridging element of the switch 229. normally interconnects. contacts 23I and232, and is adaptedtobe thrown from this normal position by-the plunger of starting coil 2I9, upon energization of the latter, to interconnect contact 233 with. contact 232. When this modified interlocking. arrangement I91 is sub-- stituted in the operation control mechanism circuit of Fig; 9. for the interlocking assembly I91, its contacts 23 I and 233. are connected, respec-. tively. t0 the leads 222, and 225, similarily to the contacts 9. and? of switch 22I The. contact .2372, however, is connected both to the lead 22 3: and the lead 224.

As is best illustrated in Figs-2.and. 5, the. lock-' out switch, I99 is secured in any. suitable manner to a mounting bracket 234 which in turn is se cured to the inner side plateof the accumulator 25. This lock-out switch I99 comprises a single pole single throw microtype switch of well known construction, the rotatable pin actuating element 235 of which is spring urged to maintain the switch in open condition. A restraining lever 236 has the upper end thereof extending through asuitable aperture in the pin 235 and..with the switch. I99 mounted in the manner illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5, the lower end of the lever 236 is disposed in engagement with the forward edge of the lower transverse portion of the latch releasing lever II9 of accumulator 25. In this normal position, lever I I9 maintains restraining lever 236 and the pin actuating element 235 against actuation of the spring of the latter to retain lock-out switch I99 in closed condition. Whenever a suitable coin is delivered by the coin handling mechanism 23 to the auxiliary coin receiving mechanism 2 to actuate any one of the accumulator control levers I9, 82 or 84 to cause positive actuation of accumulator 25, the resulting clockwise swinging of latch releasing lever I I9 (as viewed in Fig. 5) results in automatic opening of lock-out switch I99, and the latter is closed only after completion of such positive actuation of the accumulator, which includes return clockwise swinging of latch releasing lever II9 to its position of Fig. 5. This normal position of restraining lever 239 and the normally closed condition of lock-out switch I99are illustrated in the wiring diagram of Fig. 9, and so long as the accumulator 25 is not in the process of being actuated in a positive direction, the switch I99 will remain closed, but it will be opened automatically during any positive actuation of the accumulator.

OPERATION Normally the operation control mechanism circuit from thehot or positive lead 293 and contact .a of socket 201 in Fig. 10 is completed through the upper bank of selector switches 299 to contact. I), of socket 291, and also through the upper bank of selector switches 299 and credit light 202 to contact e of socket 291. As will be seen from Fig. 9, however, the circuits from contacts b and e of plug 298 normally are broken by the master coin switch I52 being open to prevent their completion to contact f, which is connected to the return or negative lead 294 (Fig. 10). With the circuits in this normal inoperative condition, depression of any one, or more, of the manually operable selector buttons I8I will have no effect for the following reasons. Such operation o'f a selector button, as seen in Fig. 10, will complete a circuit therein from the hot lead 203 and contactia to; contact 0 through the upper selector switch 299 thus closed and lead 2 I2. But from c the circuit cannot be completed to f in Fig. 9, because the interlocking switch 221 is open between its contacts and 7'. Such operation of any selector button I8I also will complete areturn circuit in Fig. 10 from 11 through lead 2M and the lower selector switch 2I3 to the corresponding selector coil 23'! in the coil bank assembly of thepred'etermining means V, but the circuit in Fig. 9 from a to d is not complete because the make selection switch I98 normally is'open. Consequently, all of the selector members or push buttons I8I normally are completely ineffective to select a record for playing by energizing their associated selector coils 231.

Deposit of; any proper coin to actuate the accumulator mechanism 25 in the manner previ- 13 busly described, however, will close the master coin switch I52 to render effective the normally inefiective selector buttons I8I. Such coin deposit automatically causes a circuit to be completed from the hot lead. 203 and contact a of Fig. 10 through the upper bank of selector switches 209 and lead 2 to b, and from b in Fig. 9 through contacts 9 and h of the interlocking switch 22I, starting coil 2 I9, and master coin switch I52 to f, and from f in Fig. 10.to the return'or common lead 204,'thereby to energize starting coil 2I9 to i break the connection between contacts 9 and hand interconnect conta'ctsi and 9' of interlocking switch 22I. 7 At the same timeycredit light 202 of Fig. 10 will be energizedor lighted automatically by a circuit from hot lead 203 and contact a being completed throu'ghzthe upper bank of selector switches 209,

the :light:2ll2and..lead 2I5 to e, and from ein Fig.:9 through master coin switch I52 to f, and from i in- Fig. 10 to the return or commonv lead 204;: thereby to indicate to the operator that he has a credit in the machine andshould make a selection-by depressing oneofi the selector buttons. I8 I...,-; 1 M. Subsequentdepression of any one ofthe selec-v torbutfions I8I will debit one unit of value from the accumulator mechanism 25, reset the inter locking switch assembly I 9! to normal condie tion and energize the associated selector coil 23]to select the corresponding recordfor playingfand toinitiate a playing cycle by. closingthe master switch I82 (Fig. 3), as previous y described, The depression of a selector button I 8I will complete the circuit rendered effective by closing of master coin switch I52 from hot lead 203 and contact a of Fig. 10 through the operated upper selector switch 209 and lead 2 I2 to c, and from c in Fig. 9 through debit coil I53, lock-.-out Wi QhIS and iagis a d 210i int ck n switch 22I to f, and from f in Fig. 19 to thereturnor common lead 204, thus energizing debit w ll, '53. r tuma umulai r Whel I!" e step backwardlyficlockwise-in Fig. 9) As this one step debitingactuation of accumulator wheel .IIiI is being completedli. e., during the final portion ofthe operating stroke of pawl I59), the make selection switch I98 will be permitted to close by spring action to complete a circuit for simultaneously energizing the resetcoil 2I8 and theselector coil 231 corresponding to the actuated selector member I8I. This circuit runs from c in Fig. 9 through reset coil 2I8 and make selection switch I98 to d, and from d of Field through lead 2I4 and the lower operated selectorswitch 213 to the associated grounded selector "coil: 231. This energization of reset coil 2I8 must one be delayed until the end of the operative stroke of pawl'li59 bydebit coil I53, because the latter is in thecircuit including contactsi and 9' of. the interlocking switch 22 I, and the reset coil opens these contacts 2 and :i and'closes contacts g and' 'o'f interlocking switch 22I to recondition the. eontrol circuitslas above described to their normal" inoperative condition, if the one-step backwardlor 'debiting, actuation of accumulator wheel I'III by the debit coil I53 has opened the mastercoin switch I52. On the other hand-if more than one positive unit of value has been introduced into the accumulator mechanism by previous deposit of proper coins, sothat the one step debiting actuation of accumulator wheel IO I has not openedmaster coin switch I52, then startingcoil 2I9 immediately andautomatically willbere-energized, as abovedescribed, to again 14- break the connection between contacts g. andlh and interconnect contacts 2 and i of interlocking switch 22I to re-energize. credit light 202 and render selector buttons I8I effectiveto accomplish the selection of another record for playing following playing of that previously selected. Thus selector buttons IBI are rendered effective automatically following each successive operation thereof so long as any positive value remains in the accumulator 25, and as soon as a selection (operation of a selector button IBI) removes the last unit of value remaining in the accumulator toopen master coin switch I52, the selector but-- tons all are. immediately rendered ineffective. The number'of playing cycles orselections avail able are determined by the accumulator 25, as operated positively by the deposit of proper coins and negatively by the making of successive selections, and so long as any positive value remains in the accumulator, the credit light 202 will be energized to apprize the operator of that fact. Once a successive number of selections have been made-equal to the total units of value entered in the accumulator by the deposit of proper coins, further operation of any of the selector buttons I8I is ineifective, and there is no possible way for anyone to steal such selections or to prevent the playing thereof or the substitution therefor of other selections. I

-In addition to the proper timing of the se quential operations in depositing a coin or coins and making selection by manually depressing one or more selector buttons I8 I ,the interlocking switch assembly I'9I, including the switch 22I, serves to condition the selector circuit for completion by closing of the make selection switch I98 independently of the master coin switch I52 to insure energization of a selector coil23'I when the last selection is made to which an operator rightfully is entitled. But for this interlocking switch mechanism being included in the circuit, energization of a selector coil 231 would not 1 be effected upon depression of its associated selector button I8I after deposit of asingle nickel to positively actuate the accumulator and close the switch I52. In other words, it is necessary for fool-proof operation that the accumulator first be returned to normal position after the-positive coin actuation thereof and upon depression of a selector button I8I, before a corresponding selector coil 23'! is energized. In order to insure such timed operation, energization of any selector coil 23! is made to depend upon the closing of the make-selection switch I53 and this'switch I98 is closedonly in the final increment of movement of the armature lever I55 of the debit coil I53. However, actuation of this armature I55 effects negative actuation of the accumulator, which will open the master coin switch I52 if only one increment of value remains in the accumulator at this time, before the make selection switch I98 is closed. The circuit to the selector coils 231 therefore cannot include the master coin switch I52. Otherwise, deposit of a nickel and subsequent depression of a selector button I 8| would not energize the associated selector coil 231,.and the last selection made after positive actuation of the accumulator for any plurality of increments of value likewise would be lost. Rather, master coin switch I52 is opened when credit is exhausted in response to the energization of the debit coil I53, and immediately as this is accomplished, switch I98 is closed to instantaneously complete the selector circuit from contact a of plug 208 in Fig. 9 through lead 228, reset coil 2 l8, and leads 221 and 226 to contact-d. Referring to Fig. 10, the completionof this circuit also results in instantaneous energization of the associatedselector coil 231, since the switch 213 ofthe; selector button .lBidepressed is closed to complete the circuit from contact d of socket 201 through lead 214 and switch M3 to the appropriate lead 205. Thisenergization of the selected coil 23! is accomplished despite the previous opening of the master coin switch I52. Of course, continued holding of this depressed selector button 131 accomplishes nothing, nor will immediate depression of lower numbered buttons 18! result in energization of their associated selector coils 231, since such instantaneous closing of make selection switch I98 :also results in immediate energization of the reset coil 2|8 to break the circuit through debit coil i53, so that spring 156 immediately opens the make selection switch I98.

It will be understood from Fig. 10 that only that number of selections to which an operator isentitled by virtue of the deposit of propercoins may be efiected, since simultaneous operation of more than one selector button I81 can result only in effecting one selection, which will be that cor.- responding to the lowest numbered selector but ton, or thatfarthest to the right in Fig. 10, which is depressed. Such result obtains because the lower selector switch 2 I3 operated by depression of such lowest numbered selector button will break the previously described circuit from contact d of socket 201 and lead 2M to all such lower selector switches 213 to the left thereof at the same time that it completes the above-noted circult to its associated selector coil 231.

It has been foundthat a dishonest operator, if sufiiciently skillful, may effect selections in greater number than the total units of value of coins deposited, to which he is not entitled, if after depositing one coin, such as a nickel, he deposits another similar coin and, with the proper timing, successively depresses a'plurality; of selector buttons during the short time interval in which the coin operated latch releasing lever H9 of the accumulator is completing it full reciprocal movement resulting from the deposit of such second coin. Means are provided, however, for preventing such erroneous operation of the instant mechanism. This means comprises the lock-out switch I99 which is normallyclosed as shown in Fig. 9, being held closed by the latch releasing lever i 59 of the accumulatonbut which is automaticallyspring opened during anypositive actuation of the accumulator, by virtue of the latch releasing lever H9 being swung away from the restraining lever 236. Thus, during any positive actuation of the accumulator, the selection effecting circuit which includes this lock-out switch 199 is broken, so that all of the selector buttons [8! are temporarily rendered ineffective during positive actuation of the accumulator. Also, since such opening of lock-out switch Hi9 during positive actuation of the accumulator 2d prevents energization of debiting coil 153, it effectively forestalls any jamming or breakage of parts that might otherwise occur from attempted simultaneous positive and negative actuation of the accumulator It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will-be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention or sacrificing all of its material ad: vantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

1 claim:

1. In a machine having a plurality of selector members selectively operable to control succes: sive cycles of operation thereof, and mechanism for receiving coins of predetermined value; operation control mechanism, comprising an accumulator operable in response to the deposit of coins in said receiving mechanism to accumulate positively a total of predetermined incremental valuescorresponding to the total values of the coins, deposited, a master switch normally maintained open by said accumulator and automatically closed in response to positive actuation of said accumulator, debiting mechanism operable in response to operation of any-said selector member to actuate said accumulator neg.- atively to subtract a said predetermined incremental value from the total accumulated therein in response to deposited coins, an electrical circuit including said selector members, said master switch and said debiting mechanism, and an interlockin switch arrangement interposed in said circuit and comprising normally open contacts operable to maintain a portion of said'circuit open to prevent actuation of said debiting mechanism in response to operation of any said selector member, and a starting coil automatically operable, upon closing of said master switch in response to the deposit of any proper coin in said receiving mechanism, to close said normally open contacts to condition such circuit for closing by subsequent operation of any said selector member. I

.2. In a machine having a plurality of selector members selectively operable to control successive cycles of operation thereof, and mechanism for receiving c ins of predetermined valuey-operation control mechanism, comprising an accumulator operable inresponse to the deposit of coins in said receiving mechanism to accumulate positively a total of predetermined incremental values corresponding to the total values of the coins deposited, a master switch normally maintained open by said accumulator and automatically'closed in response to positive actuation of said accumulator, debiting mechanism operable-in response to operation of any said selector member to actuate said' accumulator negatively to'subtract a said predetermined incremental value from the total accumulated therein, an electrical circuit including said selector members, said master switch and said debiting mechanism, and an interlocking switch arrangement interposed in said circuit and comprising normally open contacts operable to maintain a portion of said circuit open to prevent actuation of said debiting mechanism in response to operation of any said selector member, and a starting coil automatically operable, upon closing of said master switch in response to the deposit of any proper coin in said receiving mechanism, to close said normally open contacts to condition such circuit for closing by subsequent operation or any said selector member, and said interlocking switch arrangement including a reset coil automatically operable to reset said contacts to normal conditionin response to each such subsequent operation of any said selector member.

3.-In a machine having a plurality of selector member s selectively operable to control successive cycles of operation thereof, and mechanism for receiving coins of predetermined value; operation control mechanism, comprising an accumulator operable in response to the deposit of coins in said receiving mechanism to accumulate positively a total of predetermined incretain a portion of said circuit open to prevent actuation of said debiting mechanism in response to operation of any said selector member, normally closed contacts, and a starting coil in series with said normally closed contacts so as to be automatically operable, upon closing of said master switch in response to the deposit of any proper coin in said receiving mechanism, to

close said normally open contacts and open said normally closed contacts to condition such circuit for closing by subsequent operation of any U said selector member, and said interlocking switch arrangement including a reset coil operable automatically, in response to each such actuation of a said selector member, to re-open said normally open contacts and re-close said normally closed contacts to cause another automatic operation of said starting coil if said master switch is closed, whereby said circuit is again conditioned for closing by subsequent actuation of any said selector member, until the resulting successive actuations of said debiting mechanism are equal in number to the total of the predetermined incremental values positively accumulated in said accumulator responsive to coin deposits, said master switch then being returned to normal open condition by said accumulator, and said interlocking switch arrangement thereupon being maintained in normal condition to render ineffective all of said selector members.

4. In an automatic phonograph having a source b of electrical energy including a hot lead and a return lead, a selector, including a plurality of serially numbered and manually operable control members, an upper selector switch and a lower selector switch operatively associated with each of said control members and normally disposed in the upper of two possible positions, said upper selector switches each having an upper and a lower pole with the upper poles normally connected in series with each other and said hot lead by said upper switches when in said upper positions, said lower selector switches each having an upper and a lower pole with the upper poles normally interconnected in series by said lower switches when in said upper positions, and a selector coil electrically connected between each of the lower poles of said lower selector switches and said return lead and adapted, when energized, to initiate and control a playing cycle of the phonograph; a credit light connected at one 7 side to the upper pole of the upper selector switch associated with the highest serially numbered control member, coin-receiving mechanism, an accumulator automatically operable positively in response to the deposit of a genuine coin or coins in said coin-receiving mechanism to accumulate a total therein equal to the total units of value of said coins, debiting mechanism including a debit coil operable, when energized, to actuate said accumulator negatively to subtract a unit of value from the total therein accumulated, a normally open master coin switch automatically closed in response to positive actuation of said accumulator and opened by said accumulator when the latter is returned to zero by said debiting mechanism, a normally closed lock-out switch connected at one side to one side of said debiting coil and operatively associated with said accumulator so asto be opened automatically during positive actuation of the accumulator, the other side of said debiting coil being connected to said lower poles of said upper selector switches, a normally open make selection switch operatively associated with said debiting mechanism so as to be closed upon operation or the latter and connected at one side to the lower selector switch associated with the lowest serially numbered control member, and an interlocking assembly, including a starting coil, a reset coil and an interlocking switch having normally interconnected contacts and normally disconnected contacts, said starting coil being adapted to disconnect said normally interconnected contacts and to interconnect said normally disconnected contacts when energized, and said reset coil being adapted to return said interlocking switch to normal condition when energized, one of said normally interconnected contacts being connected to one side of said starting coil, the other side of said starting coil being connected to one side of said master coin switch and to the other side of said credit light, another of said normally interconnected contacts being connected to the upper pole of the upper selector switch associated with the highest serially numbered control member, one of said normally disconnected contacts being connected to the other side of said master coin switch and to said return lead and the remaining contact being connected to the other side of said lock-out switch. and said reset coil being connected at one side to said hot lead and at the other side to the other side of said make selection switch.

ALFRED E. REIMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,069,180 Erbe Jan. 26, 1937 2,242,197 West et a1 May 13, 1941 2,253,674 Andres Aug. 26, 1941 2,265,124 Andres Dec. 9, 1941 2,331,590 Andres Oct. 12, 1943 2,370,587 Shapiro et a1 Feb. 27, 1945 2,382,470 Eakins Aug. 14, 1945 2,425,974 Winkler Aug. 19, 1947 

